Wayne Dermatology in 50th year of providing skin care

Dr. John Haverkamp and his nurse practitioner Joyce Sumpio Smith are shown in front of the sign for Wayne Dermatology, a familiar sight in Goldsboro for the past 50 years.

Wayne Dermatology is celebrating 50 years at the same location on East Ash Street.

Dr. John Haverkamp, dermatologist, owns the business now.

"It was started by Dr. Wolf and Dr. Ivey," he said. "I came here in 1980. I came out of the Army after eight years on duty."

Haverkamp received training in dermatology at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

He originally studied pediatric medicine and did a pediatric internship.

"Then my young daughter at the age of 1 developed eczema," Haverkamp said. "The problems with eczema piqued my interest in dermatology so I did research."

Haverkamp has seen the dermatology field change much over the years.

"It's changed tremendously from the 1940s when Dr. Wolf started practicing," he said. "Dermatology was in its infancy and it continues to evolve into the different procedures we do now. We do more and more cosmetic procedures."

"I remove lots of moles and see rashes of all sorts," he said. "I take care of hair and nail diseases and do minor cosmetic surgical procedures right here at the office. These are procedures that weren't done in the 1940s and 50s."

Haverkamp noted that there's been an increase in skin cancers over the past few years.

"I've seen teenagers with skin cancer from sun exposure and from an increased use of tanning beds," he said.

And Haverkamp has also seen an increase in skin problems as a side effect from smoking.

And he's treating more and more people who want to stay young looking. "People have a craving for youth," he said.

"I take care of the largest organ of the body -- the skin. I see patients from the cradle to the grave. Lots of different skin conditions occur with environmental exposure to the sun and through the aging process and genetics."

To keep up on all the latest treatments and skin conditions, Haverkamp takes courses that are appropriate for the type of patients he sees.

And he doesn't just treat skin conditions; he also educates his patients.

"About 50 percent of my time with a patient is spent in education," he said. "I think if you have a patient who understands what the condition and treatment are, you have a better satisfied patient. Education is a big part of the process."